KANGIQLINIQ/RANKIN INLET - The Kivalliq region is about to enter the very fertile field of Northern-based trade shows.

For years, the Baffin and Kitikmeot regions have been home to their own trade shows, but next week, the hamlet of Rankin Inlet will host the Kivalliq Trade Show for the first time. Pictured here are attendees of the 2008 Kitikmeot Trade Show in Cambridge Bay. - NNSL file photo

Starting tonight and ending Thursday, the first-ever Kivalliq Trade Show will take place in the gymnasium of Maani Ulujuk High School

"We didn't have one in the past, but we've got one coming now," said Kevin Bussey, executive director of the Kivalliq Mine Training Society, which will have a booth on the exhibit floor.

"The timing couldn't be more (spot)-on for the Kivalliq region with all the activity that's going on with our mining industry that seems to be growing by leaps and bounds and showing all kids of potential for the future."

In addition to Agnico-Eagle's operating Meadowbank gold mine near Baker Lake, the region is also host to the Meliadine gold project near Rankin Inlet, which Agnico-Eagle purchased earlier this year, and Areva Resources Canada's Kiggavik uranium project near Baker Lake, which is currently under environmental assessment.

"I'm a believer in promotion," said Bussey. "It's no good to have something great to sell unless you let people know about it ... obviously, a trade show is a great way to promote your territory or your region or your business."

Other regions of Nunavut have long been home to similar trade shows, including the Kitikmeot Trade Show in Cambridge Bay, and the Nunavut Trade Show, which is hosted by the Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce in Iqaluit.

In the case of the Kivalliq Trade Show, the most immediate benefits will flow to Rankin Inlet.

"Other than the simple fact of promoting, I think it's going to drop some dollars into the community, as well," said Bussey.

That's definitely the case with Kissarvik Co-op Ltd., which owns both the Siniktarvik Hotel and Turaarvik Inns North.

Between those two hotels, trade show guests will take up 56 rooms.

"All the hotels in Rankin Inlet (have been) booked for the last two months," said Pierre Yves Dumouchel, manager of hotel operations for Kissarvik Co-op.

The Kivalliq Trade Show was the brainchild of the hamlet of Rankin Inlet, which has contracted Brenda Mercer – frequent organizer of the Kitikmeot Trade Show – to bring the show to life.

"Our tagline is 'Where business is tradition' and we're playing on the fact that business has been going in the Kivalliq region for a long time – not just with exploration and mining but with arts and crafts, the service industry," said Mercer.

The show will boast 130 delegates and 57 exhibitor booths.

"...we sold out just under three weeks ago," she said.

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